Jolibee - Chowking Qatar
The decision to setup Chowking Qatar (& Bahrain) started in 2007 & yes, we may see the storefront by early 2009. But NOT Jollibee... as plans for Jollibee Qatar may take a backseat due to a number of challenges. First, bringing the brand is easy but bringing the actual "langhap-sarap" taste is difficult if not impossible. The burger, chicken, & spaghetti recipes face a lot of restrictions before its allowed to be sold here. So if they re-formulate the recipe for compliance, it will not be as tasty as we expect & doom doom doom just like Jollibee Riyadh KSA. Jollibee's "gravy" recipe is an absolute no-no by govt health authorities here because it's made of chicken fat drippings. Another setback is the menu will be a little pricey due to logistics & overhead cost. Although the marketing brains of Jollibee is working on their Qatar game plan, it may take a while before we see the bee in the city of Doha.
Chowking has lesser challenges because the "chinese" menu also appeals to other nationalities. Besides the usual menu, they may also offer all time favorites like kare-kare & sisig to galvanize the "bringing the pinoy taste overseas" game plan. We will also see function rooms being made available para naman may gimik place ang mga FilExpat hehehe!
But anyhow, these are nothing but my own personal views na galing sa aking bolang kristal. Meanwhile, bubuksan ko na yung Goldilocks lechon paksiw ko hehehe!
